Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

The oligotrophic ocean is autotrophic
Le B. Williams, P.J.; Quay, P.D.; Westberry, T.K.; Behrenfeld, M.J. (2013). The oligotrophic ocean is autotrophic, in: Carlson, C.A. et al. Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci. 5. Annual Review of Marine Science, 5: pp. 535-549. https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-121211-172335
In: Carlson, C.A.; Giovannoni, S.J. (Ed.) (2013). Ann. Rev. Mar. Sci. 5. Annual Review of Marine Science, 5. Annual Reviews: Palo Alto. ISBN 978-0-8243-4505-1. 569 pp., more
In: Annual Review of Marine Science. Annual Reviews: Palo Alto, Calif. ISSN 1941-1405; e-ISSN 1941-0611, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    productivity, carbon balance, isotopic tracers, oxygen budgets, organic balance

Authors  Top 
  • Le B. Williams, P.J.
  • Quay, P.D.
  • Westberry, T.K.
  • Behrenfeld, M.J.

Abstract
    In vitro observations of net community production (NCP) imply that the oligotrophic subtropical gyres of the open ocean are net heterotrophic; in situ observations, in contrast, consistently imply that they are net autotrophic. At least one approach must be returning an incorrect answer. We find that (a) no bias in in situ oxygen-based production estimates would give false-positive (net autotrophy) rates, (b) observed 13C enrichment of surface water dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) can be explained only by positive NCP (net autotrophy), (c) lateral and vertical inputs of organic carbon are insufficient to sustain net heterotrophy, and (d) atmospheric input of organic material is too small to support in vitro rates of net heterotrophy and would yield d13C depletion of surface DIC, quite the opposite of what is observed in the subtropical gyres. We conclude that the in vitro observations, implying net heterotrophy, must contain a bias that is due to an underestimate of photosynthetic rate and/or an overestimate of respiration rate.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors